Football supporters are furious over World Cup transit ticket prices after reports that public transport fares to major 2026 tournament venues in the United States could rise far above normal event-day rates. The strongest backlash has focused on the Northeast, where fans say the added travel costs are turning the World Cup into an event increasingly out of reach for ordinary supporters.
New Jersey Transit is expected to charge more than $100 for a round trip from Penn Station in Manhattan to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey during the tournament. The same return journey normally costs $12.90. In Massachusetts, return tickets from Boston to Gillette Stadium have been confirmed at $80, compared with the usual event-day fare of $20.
Supporters’ groups say the hikes are unfair, especially because travel was included or heavily discounted at some previous World Cups. Critics argue that fans are now being asked to pay premium prices on top of already expensive match tickets.
The pricing dispute has triggered a public battle between officials and FIFA. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill said the state should not force local commuters to absorb the cost of hosting the tournament, while arguing that FIFA should help cover transportation expenses. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and New York Governor Kathy Hochul also criticised the reported fares. FIFA, however, pushed back strongly. The organisation said original host city agreements required free transport for fans, before later changes shifted travel to an “at cost” model on match days.
MetLife and Boston are at the centre of the controversy
The greatest anger has centred on travel to MetLife Stadium and Gillette Stadium, where supporters say the fare jumps are extreme. Parking near MetLife is reportedly being sold in advance at high rates, adding to concerns that attending matches is becoming a luxury experience. Fan groups from Europe, including supporters of France and England, have described the prices as a “disgrace” and a “rip-off.” Their concern is that loyal travelling fans are being priced out of the atmosphere that helps define a World Cup.
The controversy is also drawing attention because not all US host cities appear to be raising fares. Los Angeles has pledged not to increase standard transit fares for trips to SoFi Stadium on World Cup match days. That contrast has made the fare hikes in the Northeast even more contentious.
Some federal funding has already been allocated to help host cities manage transit costs, which raises further questions about why fans are being asked to pay so much more. For many supporters, the issue is bigger than one train ticket. It reflects a wider fear that the 2026 World Cup is becoming too expensive for regular fans. If transport costs remain this high, the backlash could grow, especially as FIFA already faces criticism over ticket pricing and the broader cost of attending matches in North America.
